8HP BRIGGS, Broken Rod-?How to Remove Flywheel?

My grand father puchased a brand new generator in the '80's and it sat in a crate w/o oil until this summer. I put oil in it and installed the plug wire and sure enough it started, and ran well.

It has an 8HP Hor. shaft B/S with recoil only.

I used it for about 30-40 hr over the summer, and tonite I started it to run a light. I started-first pull, ran a few mins and quit, making all kinds of noises internally(METAL).

I loaded it on the truck and took it to the heated shop. pulled on the rope -very easy to pull, normally will upset machine if you don't hold it down and pull!

So, I removed the head, and found the piston not attached to the crank. Removed gen and split the case. Found rod in a bunch of pieces, and looks like the brg spun on the crank for a while.

My BIG question is, How do I safely remove the flywheel with the recoil end on it? I have read about them shattering if pried on-do not want that!! Also, are rod brgs available undersize to compensate for machining the crank?

Where is a good source for Rod, Brgs., Gasket,and Tech Manual

Also, what is the usual price to turn a crank?

Thank You Very Much in advance, Pat

I just got the clutch, and f.w. off and the crank out! w/o any problems!

Thanks again, Pat

Also thanks for the help removing the clutch, Never took one off, and just as sure as I do something w/o reading or asking I tear something UP!

--Remove the starter drive by unscrewing it.
--Purchase a flywheel "knocker," which is a metal device that fits over the end of the crank (about $5).
--Pry up slightly on the flywheel with screwdriver.
--Rap on the knocker with a hammer.

It does not take very much upward pressure on the flywheel to pop it off with one or two raps. I removed even the lightweight lawnmower type flywheels with these knockers as a pro small engine mechanic for years, no problems. The flywheel in your application should be a heavy weight flywheel.

You likely will find the soft key has been sheared.

Hope it helps.

Also, I guess where it never locked up or hit anything, the key was spared-thank goodness! Not expensive, but just one more thing to buy!

Thanks, Pat

I am unsure how it is removed, there are no visible attaching pieces(ei bolts, nuts, or flats to put wrench on to unscew entire unit).

Thanks again, Pat

A co-worker and friend of mine was trying to remove a fanclutch from a t444e intenational diesel one time at the IH dealer where we worked, and assumed it was LH like all of the older 7.3's were. However, it was RH!! He beat on it for 2hrs. before he found out it was RH!! He didn't do to well on the flat-rate for that job, but at least it taught the two of us to check first!!

Thanks again, Pat